My Health, My Choice: Are you itching to improve dry skin? – VVdailypress.com

As we settle into the winter months, dry skin becomes a more frequent problem. This is mostly due to the fact that winter air can be very dry, and people tend to hydrate less in cold weather. Dry skin conditions range from flakiness to redness to severe itchiness. Particular problem areas are the elbows, feet, hands, and face. Each area has a variety of treatments that are effective and some that are not. Sometimes, the lotions people use can actually worsen dry skin, so it is important to be aware of the products recommended by health care providers and why.

A particular challenge to maintaining healthy skin in the winter is that the lack of humidity in the air causes the skins moisture to evaporate rapidly. There are several things that people can do that will help in this area. First, and perhaps least appealing, is to avoid hot showers. Long hot showers strip the body of natural oils, it is better to use lukewarm water and keep shower times to no more than three minutes. Avoid using perfumed deodorant soap and bath salts, opting instead for milder products such as Dove or Cetaphil. Upon exiting the shower, while the skin is still damp, moisturizers can be applied to lock in the moisture absorbed by the skin in the shower. It is important to make the distinction between moisturizers and lotions. Moisturizers are products that are thicker than lotions and absorb into the skin. Lotions contain a lot of water, so they evaporate from the skin easily. Since moisturizers are thicker, they are more likely to be absorbed by the skin rather than evaporate into the thin winter air. Liberal application is best since it allows for the skin to be protected and to absorb over time. Examples of affordable and effective moisturizers include Vaseline, and coconut oil. Examples of other products that work well include Aquaphor, Eucerin, and CeraVe.

In addition to treating dry skin through the use of moisturizers and showering strategies, it can also be mitigated by the use of a humidifier in the home or office. Humidifiers work because they increase the amount of humidity water vapor in the air which means less moisture will be lost from the skin through evaporation. It is best to use humidifiers in the rooms where one spends the most time. These units can be purchased at most drug and convenience stores for less than $80.

A frequently ignored aspect of winter skin health is the use of sunscreen. While the ambient air temperature is much lower in the winter months than it is in the summer, the suns rays can still damage exposed skin. Many facial moisturizers contain sunscreen, but it is generally best to look for one that contains an SPF of at least 30. Another issue that receives less attention in the winter than in the summer is hydration. Drinking enough fluids is important in the winter because it ensures that the body will have the water stores necessary for repairing dry skin. External treatments are the most effective, but keeping properly hydrated makes the task easier.

Many people will notice that they have more issues with chapped lips, hands and heels in the winter. For the lips, balms that contain menthol, camphor, and peppermint should be avoided because they can cause irritation. Ointment based lip balms such as Vaseline Lip Therapy and other non-flavored lip protection products can help with chapped lips. The hands can benefit from the use of products such as Lubriderm and Aquaphor applied four to five times a day, or whenever one washes their hands. Hand sanitizers should be avoided due to the high alcohol content which can dry out the skin. As for the very stubborn dry skin around the heels, some exfoliation is necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. Exfoliating products are usually pumice stones which can remove dry skin with a gentle sanding motion. This prepares the problem area to better absorb moisture from whatever treatment is applied. Emollients should be applied liberally to lock in moisture. This should be done multiple times a day and before bedtime.

If left unattended, dry skin can lead to eczema. Eczema occurs when the top layer of the skin is unable to retain moisture, causing inflammation. With eczema, the skin becomes irritated, itchy, and often red/brown patches can be seen. Most problem area includes, hands, feet, upper chest and inner elbows. Eczema is a chronic condition that causes your skin to go through calm and inflamed periods when exposed to triggers, such as cold dry air, fragrances, stress, and harsh chemicals. Treatment of eczema includes going through all the tips stated above and using 1% hydrocortisone for few days. If no improvement is noticed, it is wise to make an appointment with your primary care provider.

Bukky Gross, NP-C, is an exclusive Nurse Practitioner with Choice Medical Group and Choice Physicians Network. Bukky focuses on providing exceptional individualized care. She is also a local graduate of Loma Linda University and has a concentration in Family Medicine and has the skills to take care of your entire family.

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My Health, My Choice: Are you itching to improve dry skin? - VVdailypress.com